By Canadian Press

Wildfires decline in B.C. with rain, cooler weather, but heat forecasted to return

Aug 7, 2025 | 10:58 AM

The number of wildfires burning in British Columbia is on the decline after more than doubling during a spate of hot, dry conditions and thunderstorms that produced tens of thousands of lightning strikes across the province last week.

The BC Wildfire Service website shows 107 active blazes, with four started in the last 24 hours, while 21 were declared out over the same time period.

The number of active blazes had surpassed 140 last weekend.

A bulletin from the wildfire service on Wednesday said a low-pressure system was bringing rain to eastern and southern parts of the province, while isolated thunderstorms with rain and gusty winds were forecast across the central Interior.

It said the north and southeastern B.C. were expecting a drying and warming trend for western areas on Thursday.

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Environment Canada forecasts for Sunday predict daytime highs of 26 C in Vancouver, 32 C in Kelowna, 33 C in Nelson and 36 C in Lytton.

There are 25 wildfires classified as burning out of control, including the Wesley Ridge blaze on central Vancouver Island that spans about 5.7 square kilometres east of Port Alberni.

An update posted by the wildfire service on Wednesday said crews took advantage of cooler conditions to “aggressively” tackle the fire that is burning on the north shore of Cameron Lake.

Residents of more than 100 properties forced to leave their homes last week were allowed to return on Wednesday, though an evacuation order issued by the Regional District of Nanaimo remains in effect for others.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2025.

The Canadian Press